GW Women's Rowing Grabs Two Medals at SIRA Championships

Varsity 8 Wins Gold, JV8 Wins Silver Against Top Competition

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. - The George Washington women's rowing team won two medals, including a gold-medal performance by the Varsity 8, in the Grand Finals of the Southern Intercollegiate Rowing Association (SIRA) Championships on Sunday on Lake Mellon.

"Overall it was a great weekend of racing culminating in today's Grand Finals," said head coach Eric Carcich.

The Varsity 8, trailing for much of its Grand Final race, rallied in the final 500 meters to edge out second-place Purdue and third-place Kansas State. The Colonials finished the 2,000-meter course in 6:34.70, just two seconds ahead of Purdue (6:36.00) and Kansas State (6:36.70), followed by Nova Southeastern (6:38.50), Central Oklahoma (6:41.30) and Oklahoma City (6:58.40).

"I am really proud of the Varsity 8," said coach Carcich. "It was an even field at the 1,000-meter mark but they did a great job to reel in Purdue and pass Kansas State in the final 500 meters."

With the win, the Varsity 8 closed the weekend with a perfect 3-0 record in three races.

The JV8 nearly won a second gold medal for the Colonials in the Grand Finals, but the Colonials were edged at the finish line by Kansas State. The Wildcats finished in 7:01.80, followed by GW (7:02.12), Purdue (7:10.50), Kansas State B (7:16.60) and Jacksonville (7:37.30).

"The JV8 raced well and were involved in a fight with Kansas State," said coach Carcich. "We were in it at the end but just barely got nipped at the finish line."

The Varsity 4 rowed in the B Final, finishing in first place in 8:00.30, clinching seventh-place overall for the event.

The Colonials return to action on Sunday as they look to defend George's Cup on the Potomac River against Georgetown and George Mason.

"Overall it was great racing and I am happy," said Carcich. "We have two weeks left and we are looking to get faster for the George's Cup next week and then the A-10 championships on May 4."